Deep Dive into Certified Payroll

Certified payroll mistakes don’t just create paperwork issues—they can trigger audits, payment delays, and serious compliance findings on prevailing wage jobs.

Following a highly attended Prevailing Wage Compliance seminar earlier this year, we’re expanding on that discussion with a deeper, more practical look at certified payroll. No prior attendance is required—this virtual session is designed to provide value whether or not you joined the previous seminar.

This practical online course walks contractors, subcontractors, and payroll staff through the complete process of preparing and submitting U.S. Department of Labor Form WH-347, the certified payroll report required under the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts. Participants will learn how to accurately complete every section of the form — from company and project setup through final certification — so their weekly submissions meet DOL Wage and Hour Division standards and withstand compliance review.

Key Takeaways

1. Form setup and sequencing: Correctly identify prime versus subcontractor status, assign sequential Certified Payroll Numbers, and apply the rules for skipping “no work” weeks.
2. Accurate payroll detail: Record worker information, labor classifications from the wage determination, daily and weekly hours, wage rates, fringe credits, cash-in-lieu payments, gross and net pay for the project and across all work.
3. Fringe benefit reporting: Distinguish between fringe reduction credits and cash-in-lieu payments, and properly document funded versus unfunded plans, including when DOL approval is required.
4. Registered Apprentice compliance: Identify apprentices on Page 1 and disclose whether they are enrolled in a U.S. DOL (OA) or State Apprenticeship Agency (SSA) program using official apprenticeship documents.
5. Statement of Compliance: Complete Page 2 certifications confirming payroll accuracy, detail each worker’s hourly fringe credits, and attest that employees received full earnings without unauthorized rebates or deductions.

Attendees will receive a signed copy of The Contractor’s Guide to the Davis-Bacon Act: Essential Knowledge for Bidding and Compliance on Prevailing Wage Jobs, by Nat Peniston.

VIRTUAL EVENT: Register today. A link to join the webinar will be emailed to you the day before the event.

Presenter:

Nat Peniston, Vice President
The Contractors Plan

Nat Peniston is a national expert on government-funded prevailing wage obligations and works closely with construction contractors to ensure proper compliance, particularly in bona fide employee benefits strategies. An accomplished author, he has published numerous articles in the Associated Builders and Contractors Construction Executive magazine and published the book, “The Contractor’s Guide to the Davis-Bacon Act: Essential Knowledge for Bidding and Compliance on Prevailing Wage Jobs.”

Nat is a past chairman of the board of the Central Texas Chapter of the Associated Builders & Contractors and is involved in various charitable organizations. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and lives in Austin, TX, with his wife and two daughters.